3. Cognitive distortions are simply ways that our mind
convinces us of something that isn't really true. These
inaccurate thoughts are usually used to reinforce negative
thinking or emotions — telling ourselves things that sound
rational and accurate, but really only serve to keep us
feeling bad about ourselves.
Many of our cognitive distortions come from our past
history, and are confirmed by our present circumstances.
7. Choose one answer.
A. Eric and Jamey (who both have significant others) have dipped off to
their creep spot to engage in some mid-afternoon caking.
B. Eric and Jamey (co-workers) are fraternizing during their lunch
break.
C. Eric and Jamey (husband and wife) are caking.
D. Eric just proposed to Jamey, and now the couple is sealing their new
engagement with a kiss.
E. Eric and Jamey are actors who are a part of a commercial for Oakley
Sunglasses.
8. All-or-Nothing Thinking: You see things
in black-white categories if your
performance is LESS THEN PERFECT,
you consider yourself a total failure.
“I always come up short.” “I am just a failure.” “I cant handle this.”
9. Over-Generalization: You see one
negative event as an unending pattern
of defeat.
“We are always fighting” ( even though this only happens
once a week).
10. Mental Filter: One negative detail
or event is all you dwell on.
“We would have had a great time at the
picnic, but the mosquitoes almost ate us up!”
11. Disqualifying the Positive: You believe
positive experiences “Don’t count”
for some reason or other.
“ Even though I got a good evaluation, I
know my boss hates me.”
12. Jumping to Conclusions: You automatically
make a negative interpretation even though
there are no definite facts that really support
your conclusion.
“My spouse came home late: he/she must be
having an affair”.
13. Emotional Reasoning: You assume
that your negative emotions
necessarily reflect the way things
really are.
“I feel it therefore it must be true”.
14. Mind- Reading: You indiscriminately
conclude that some is reacting
negatively to you, and don’t bother
to check it out.
“ He/she went to lunch with another co-worker,
so he/she must be mad at me”.
15. The Fortune- Teller Error: You anticipate
things that will turn our badly and you feel
convinced that your prediction is an already
established fact.
“I know I'm going to fail this class” (even thought
I'm getting good grades).
17. Emotional Reasoning: You assume
that your negative emotions
necessarily reflect the way things
really are.
“I feel it therefore it must be true”.
18. All-or-Nothing Thinking: You see things
in black-white categories if your
performance is LESS THEN PERFECT,
you consider yourself a total failure.
“I always come up short.” “I am just a failure.” “I cant handle this.”
19. Disqualifying the Positive: You believe
positive experiences “Don’t count”
for some reason or other.
“ Even though I got a good evaluation,
I know my boss hates me.”
20. Over-Generalization: You see one
negative event as an unending pattern
of defeat.
“We are always fighting”
(even though this only happens once a week).
21. The Fortune- Teller Error: You anticipate
things that will turn our badly and you feel
convinced that your prediction is an already
established fact.
“I know I'm going to fail this class”
(even though I'm getting good grades).
22. Mind- Reading: You indiscriminately
conclude that some is reacting
negatively to you, and don’t bother
to check it out.
“ He/she went to lunch with another co-worker,
so he/she must be mad at me”.
23. Jumping to Conclusions: You automatically
make a negative interpretation even though
there are no definite facts that really support
your conclusion.
“My spouse came home late: he/she must be
having an affair”.
24. Mental Filter: One negative detail
or event is all you dwell on.
“We would have had a great time at the
picnic, but the mosquitoes almost ate us up!”
25. Work Cited:
Grohol, John M.,PSY.D. “15 Common Cognitive
Distortions Psych Central.” Psych Central.com.
N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2014
Hoy, Lynette J., AND TED Griffin. What’s good
about Anger?: Putting Anger tow Work for your
good. Oak Park, IL: Counsel Care Connection,
2006. print.
